“You really plan to come back and start your own business? Will that old man Gao let you go?” Li Qingyun didn’t believe it. Lin Dalang had mentioned several times his desire to return and start a business, but that stubborn old man Gao had always refused. Li Qingyun couldn’t understand why, in such a vast world, that old man insisted on clinging to his son-in-law. Sure, the man had a handsome face, but even his bookkeeping and abacus skills were taught by his daughter, Cuimei. What was so great about such a useless fellow?
Lin Dalang replied, “Yes, I told him that if he doesn’t let me return, my brother-in-law will take my wife away. Then, left alone with no one to care for me, I’d be in such a foul mood that I’d run his shop into the ground. He can’t blame me for that.”
Li Ziyang snorted, “You’d better mean what you say. If you go back to working for someone else while leaving my third sister at home to be bullied, I’ll take her back with me. And even if you come begging on your knees, don’t expect her to return.”
“Enough of this nonsense,” Madam Pan scolded her son before turning a cold gaze to Lin Dalang. “Your words just play into Old Man Gao’s hands. He’d be thrilled if my daughter left you so his granddaughter could marry you instead. You’re practically handing him a pillow when he’s sleepy—a perfect match.”
Lin Dalang stood and bowed deeply. “Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, I swear to you both—in this life, I want only Cuimei.”
“Hmph, at least you have some conscience,” Madam Pan muttered, looking down at Lin Fang and ignoring her son-in-law.
“So, what business do you plan to start?” Li Qingyun asked, then paused before adding sternly, “Starting your own business requires capital. Will your stingy father agree?”
Lin Dalang sat back down. “I’ll continue in the cloth trade. My grandfather left me some silver when he passed, and aside from what was given to my aunt as dowry, my grandmother’s entire dowry was also left to me. It’s not much, but it’s enough for a small business.”
“Ha! Your grandparents were truly biased. Aren’t you afraid your parents and siblings will make trouble when you suddenly produce such a sum?”
“You raise a fair point, Mother-in-law. The money was transferred to my aunt’s name when Grandmother passed. Officially, the shop will be funded by her, and I’ll just be working for her.”
“Have you discussed this with your aunt?”
“Father-in-law, I’ve already spoken with her. She advised me to seek your approval first.”
“Does my daughter know about this?”
“Mother-in-law, I haven’t told her yet. I wanted to wait for your consent first, so as not to raise her hopes prematurely.”
“What nonsense! Coming back to open your own shop is a good thing. You don’t need our approval—just do what you think is best. As long as my daughter is happy, we old folks don’t care. Hahaha!”
“Goodness, old man, keep your voice down! You’ll wake the granddaughter.”
“Oh.”
I was already awake. Grandfather’s booming voice was like thunder—it was impossible to sleep through. Lin Fang opened her eyes just as Grandmother looked down at her.
“Oh, Fang’er is awake?”
Madam Pan’s exclamation was all it took for Li Qingyun and Li Ziyang to rush over. Lin Dalang sighed in relief and sipped his tea. Though he spoke calmly, he’d been incredibly nervous. His in-laws were fiercely protective—one wrong word, and he’d be in deep trouble. He might’ve ended up truly alone for a while.
“Fang’er, I’m your grandfather. Do you recognize me?”
“You old fool, lower your voice! She just woke up—don’t scare her. Fang’er, I’m your grandmother. Do you know me?”
“And me! I’m your uncle!”
Lin Fang was speechless. What was wrong with these people? Why were they asking such silly questions? Of course, I don’t know any of you! And I’m so thirsty—don’t they know people need water after waking up? “I want water—”
“Oh, darling, why are you crying? What’s wrong? Tell me what you want, and Grandmother will get it for you.”
Li Qingyun and Li Ziyang were equally flustered, the two grown men clueless about why the little one was crying.
Lin Fang was furious. If I could talk, I’d have said so already! She screamed inwardly, “You’re all grandparents and parents—how can you be this clueless?”
Seeing Lin Fang’s face turn red from crying, the adults grew even more frantic.
“Madam, perhaps the young lady is thirsty,” suggested a middle-aged woman standing behind Madam Pan, exasperated. It was such a simple thing—a child waking up thirsty—yet they were all in a panic, sweating over it.
“Right, right! She must be thirsty. Fetch water, quickly!”
When Lin Dalang carried Lin Fang home later, Li Ziyang trailed behind, laden with food, fabrics, and herbs. By the time he realized his third brother-in-law had skillfully conned him into carrying everything, they were already at his fourth sister’s doorstep. Grumbling, he followed them inside, greeted the family, chatted with his third sister, and finally got to hold Lin Fang—though his brother-in-law soon found an excuse to take her back. Still, he left grinning, satisfied.
Lin Dalang discussed the shop plans with his wife, Li Cuimei, who was delighted. She suggested using fabrics from their own shop to make finished garments, even offering custom embroidery for clients to increase profits.
“Mother, your eyes can’t see the embroidery patterns clearly anymore. How will you sew?” Lin Wen’s remark poured cold water on her mother’s excitement.
Lin Dalang was startled. “Wen’er, what’s wrong with your mother’s eyes? Cuimei, what happened?”
Little Lin Wu, the family gossip, piped up, “Mother cried every day worrying about Sister’s illness. She cried so much her eyes got bad.”
Hearing this, Lin Dalang’s heart ached. He scolded his wife gently, “Silly, what good does crying do? It won’t help Fang’er’s condition—it only hurts you. If you cry yourself blind, even if Fang’er recovers, you won’t see her. What’s the point?”
Well said, well said! Lin Fang mentally applauded her father.
Madam Tong, however, was concerned about something else. “Don’t worry—Cuimei’s eyes will heal with some rest. But Dalang, now that you’re back, will Cuimei move back to the main house? I’m not comfortable with that. She’s been safe here, but if she returns, your mother’s constant scolding and the trouble from Cuiping and Shilang will start again.”
A married nephew living with his wife in his aunt’s house, despite his parents being alive and well, was hardly proper.
“No need,” Lin Dalang said calmly. “I’ll go see Doctor Wang.”
“Doctor Wang? So Cuimei doesn’t have to return to the main house?”
“Aunt, trust me.” With that, he left with Lin Fang in his arms.
Madam Tong chuckled behind him. “That boy was so honest as a child, but he’s grown crafty with age. Now I can’t even guess what he’s thinking.”
Li Cuimei smiled. “Aunt, just let him handle it. He’s the man—he should take charge.”
At Doctor Wang’s, Lin Dalang first had him check Lin Fang’s pulse, then whispered privately with him. After paying the consultation fee, he slipped the doctor an extra twenty coins.
Instead of returning to his aunt’s house, Lin Dalang headed to the main courtyard. Li Cuie ran up to her elder brother and poked Lin Fang’s cheek. Lin Fang, though awake, kept her eyes closed against the bright sun. The poke felt odd, as if something were on her face, so she frowned. Delighted, Li Cuie exclaimed, “Brother! Fang’er moved her eyebrows!”
Dong Shi, seeing only her son holding the “half-dead” granddaughter, scowled. “Useless man. You spent all that time in the back courtyard and didn’t even bring your wife back? What are you good for—feeding pigs or weeding?”
His mother’s immediate criticism, without even asking about his wife’s health, confirmed how much Cuimei had suffered. Suppressing his anger, Lin Dalang said, “Fang’er cried late last night and again this morning. She even opened her eyes. It seems she’s improving. I thought Father and Mother would be pleased, so I brought her to greet you.”
Dong Shi blinked, then scoffed. “Babies cry all the time. Only idiots don’t. Nothing special about that—why bother?”
Lin Dalang seethed but held his tongue. Just then, Doctor Wang entered with his medical kit. “Dalang, your wife fainted in the fields yesterday. Is she better today?”
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